$2,500 grant to help Golden Diners distribute pet food

GENEVA – Banfield Charitable Trust has awarded The Salvation Army Golden Diners Senior Nutrition Program a $2,500 grant to expand a program that distributes pet food to homebound seniors.

Salvation Army Golden Diners volunteers will begin the partnership by delivering pet food to 111 seniors and their 187 pets this week. The pet food distribution will be quarterly after that.

According to AARP, almost 9 million seniors either skip meals or buy low-quality food to make their food supply last longer. Salvation Army Golden Diner volunteers report their clients share meals with pets, which is why the Golden Diners program has launched pet food deliveries as part of its service.

“These pets prevent these seniors from experiencing isolation,” Maj. Ken Nicolai, director of The Salvation Army Golden Diners Program, said in a news release. “They help keep them alert and are good companions for them. That is why we wanted to find a way to help them feed their pets and make sure the senior is getting all the nutrition that is delivered to them in their Golden Diners hot, home-delivered meals. Seniors shouldn’t have to choose between a nutritious meal for themselves or their pets.”

Each year, more than 5,000 seniors in Kane and McHenry counties are served by The Salvation Army Golden Diners program. Golden Diners delivers more than 800 meals every day.

For information about the Golden Diners Senior Nutrition Program or how to volunteer or support the program in other ways, call 630-232-6676. Monetary donations can be sent to: The Salvation Army Golden Diners, 1031 E. State St., Geneva, IL 60134.